The oxidative cyclization of n-phenyl-3-methylthiopropylamines to form N-phenyl-s-methylisothiazolidinium salts

A series of N-phenyl-3-methylthiopropylamine hydrochlorides were prepared by reacting a series of anilines with methional and sodium cyanoborohydride. These were cyclized upon oxidation by N-chloro-succinimide to the corresponding N-phenyl-S-methylisothiazolidinium derivatives which were isolated as the tetraphenylborate salts. Compounds successfully prepared included the m-methyl, p-methyl, m-methoxy, and p-methoxyphenyl derivatives.